The G7 and decarbonising London

Leonie Cooper: London’s target to achieve net zero by 2030 represents a large contribution towards UK target for net zero by 2050 and cutting emissions by 78% by 2035. Following the June 2021 G7 summit and the Government’s recent commitment to end all new finance for coal power by the end of 2021, how can London show leadership in: 1) providing innovative solutions for decarbonising of power; 2) in improving its offer to community energy projects and 3) improving its offer to local energy networks?
Gov.UK, ‘UK enshrines new target in law to slash emissions by 78% by 2035, ‘ 20 April 2021

Sadiq Khan: Since being elected in 2016, I have ensured that London leads the way in tackling climate change. In 2018, I was the first Mayor of a C40 megacity to declare a climate emergency. In 2020, I went further and declared my ambition for London to be net zero carbon by 2030.
I welcome the recent announcement from the Government on coal power. In this year of the United Nations Climate Change COP26, I want to work productively with the Government to ensure we are ambitious and set the right policies to deliver an end to fossil fuels, like a ban on fracking.
Last year I announced my £6million Local Energy Accelerator to support the development of local renewable and waste heat sources, such as from the Tube, as well as district energy networks. My Green New Deal funded the supersizing of the Energetik Heat Network at Edmonton so that it is capable of supplying heat to Enfield residents and up to 8,000 more homes in Hackney and Haringey. Under Solar Together London, 1,000 London households have had solar panels installed since 2018. A further 3,000 have signed up in this year alone.
To support London’s recovery, I am working closely with London boroughs on the Green New Deal to maximise London’s contribution to tackling the climate emergency. I am spearheading a retrofit revolution with a framework that supports measures in social housing worth up to £5billion in London and a retrofit centre of excellence to dramatically increase the pace of projects that upgrade cold, damp houses in London and nationally. Since much of the power consumed in London is generated outside London, I want to make better use of our purchasing power. We will soon begin powering the Tube, London’s biggest energy user, with renewable electricity. Since 2017, my London Community Energy Fund has allocated over £1million to support 86 innovative community energy projects across 26 boroughs, and I will announce a further round later this year.
Half the carbon savings needed in London require action by the Government and I will continue to work with it to make progress in the areas it controls.

Léonie Cooper: Thank you very much, MrMayor. There is a lot going on, but a recent report has found that no G20 country is currently on track to meet global climate goals and that we can expect a really turbulent transition as we move ahead. London’s target to hit net zero by 2030, a target you have set, will be an important milestone towards the overall UK Government target. How is the Government’s policy really supporting London’s drive to achieve net zero by 2030? How much funding has the Government given to London to assist us in this process?

Sadiq Khan: Look, we want to work closely with the Government on this issue. The G7 this year, last month, hopefully is a catalyst for a successful COP26. We saw His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince William joining the Prime Minister at the G7, trying to persuade world leaders that this has to be a year when progress is made. The election of PresidentBiden bodes well in relation to progress being made.
It is not a secret that, so far, I have been disappointed by the lack of support from the Government on this issue, but I am optimistic going forward. [The Rt Hon] AlokSharma [MP] being in charge of COP26 means that there is focus from the Government. Our country will not meet the targets it has signed up to without London playing its part, and London cannot fully play our role unless the Government gives us proper support, not just the Bills going through Parliament having real teeth, but resources as well. We want to play a part. We have a moral responsibility to do more. I am really keen to do more and I am looking forward to a really good relationship this year, good announcements in the CSR and a good COP26, turbocharging - in a sustainable and renewable way - us getting to zero carbon by 2030.

Léonie Cooper: People with electric vehicles who put their foot down noticed that electric turbocharging and so I am hoping that that is the kind of direction that you are talking about.
Actually, of course, the Chair asked if we had any declarations at the beginning and I forgot to mention - because I know he is very keen to hear about which ones of us have signed up to London Power - and I just need to rectify that omission, Chair. I have signed up to a very good deal with London Power for two years.
How important do you think it is that all Londoners are able to access those greener energy sources at really affordable prices in order to help all Londoners to move away from fossil fuels and help us meet that overall net zero target by 2030?

Sadiq Khan: Yes, we are trying to address a number of things here with London Power. By the way, thank you for signing up. One is to address the issue of fuel poverty. What can happen is sometimes people sign up to a deal with an energy provider with a very good deal, and when that deal comes to an end after 12 months they automatically go to a poor deal and the consumer does not realise that. The assurances and the promises from London Power mean that you will always be on a really good tariff. Also, you are spot on, the energy you are using is sustainable and good for the environment as well, so it is a virtuous benefit to the consumer and also to London as well. We are working with partners like councils, housing associations and others that will have tenants and customers who could benefit from London Power going forward. We are keen to get as many Londoners as possible to sign up to London Power.

Léonie Cooper: You do not need to thank me for signing up, MrMayor, because it was actually the best deal that was on offer. I would strongly recommend any other AssemblyMembers who have not yet switched to do so.
I wanted to congratulate you on the launch of the double-decker hydrogen buses yesterday. It is not just about buildings, is it? It is also about moving ahead with mobility and moving towards that net zero goal. We have to be looking both at domestic heating and at how we move around.

Sadiq Khan: The AssemblyMember was with me in 2016 when we invited the world’s mayors and transport authorities to City Hall. We got Wrightbus to come outside and show one of their hydrogen double-decker buses, a prototype. How fantastic it is that we now have England’s first double-decker hydrogen-powered buses going through London. This bus is helping to create jobs in Northern Ireland, in Nottingham, in Runcorn and in Oxford. It is now being bought by people across the globe, a good example of London helping to create jobs around the country but those jobs being amplified because we are having customers around the globe as well. No pollution comes from this bus. The only by-product is water.

Léonie Cooper: Water. London’s recovery is the UK’s recovery. London hitting net zero helps the UK hit net zero.

Sadiq Khan: Absolutely.

Léonie Cooper: Thank you very much.